Just like that, December is finally here and soon, Winter will be here too. The Fall season, filled with so many fun activities, like going pumpkin picking or doing a wine tasting, is slowly coming to a chilly end. With the crazy year we are having due to the coronavirus pandemic among us, it was easy to enjoy most fall outings that can easily be outside and socially distant.
Now, that we celebrated Thanksgiving and tossed our pumpkins to the curb, the gears have shifted, and it is all about the holidays and countdown to Christmas. There is usually not as many prominent things to do this time of year as compared to the Fall, especially now with the weather getting colder and not being able to bear being outside for much longer, but many people are working to make sure we all make the best out of this holiday season under the circumstances. If you're stuck looking for some fun holiday things to do in the month of December, I am here to help. Maybe one of these activities will even be a new yearly tradition for you and your family and something good to actually look back on in this crazy year of 2020.
Here Are 10 Fun Things To Do In December:
1. Go To a Drive-Thru...For Christmas Lights
Drive-thru Christmas lights shows (and drive-thru Jack O' Lantern shows) have been around for a couple of years now, but luckily are COVID-friendly for 2020. Because of that, more and more attractions are popping up, including Six Flag's Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience. Here are some other drive-thru Christmas lights events around the NJ area.
2. Put Your Apron On and Make Yummy Holiday Cookies
Holiday baking is usually a given this time of year, but I personally never took part in it so maybe I will now. Baking a ton of different holiday cookies with your family is a fun and yummy holiday activity to do, while listening to your favorite Christmas music of course. To spread some love and cheer around, you can even pack some cookies and drop them off to your friends and family. If you need some recipe inspiration, here are 60+ Easy Christmas Cookies recipes from Delish.
3. Prepare to Fall While Ice Skating
No matter how many times you go ice skating every Winter, it is just as hard to get back on the ice and re-learn how to skate. I think I am a good ice skater if I do say so myself, and outdoor ice skating is another great COVID-friendly activity to enjoy this year with friends and family. Here are some outdoor ice skating rinks around NJ to enjoy.
4. DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs
If you didn't hear already, one of 2020's latest viral food trends is hot chocolate bombs. A lot of bakeries are starting to add them to their menu, but DIY'ing them yourself could be a fun activity to do, especially if you want to make your own special hot chocolate bombs. Here are some recipes and tips to help you create your own DIY hot chocolate bombs.
5. Dine In An "Igloo"
Similar to the Christmas lights experiences and outdoor ice skating, "igloo dining" has also been around for a while. I went to a rooftop one in New York last year, and I loved it. Due to it's COVID-friendly social distancing, more restaurants have been participating in it this year. It helps people stay warm while outside and provides an added-experience to simple dining. Here are restaurants participating in igloo dining in NJ.
6. Enjoy Your Own AMC Theatre Film Viewing
If you've been missing the days of going to the movie theatres, you're in luck because AMC Theatres has launched a new Private Movie Theatre Program, where you can reserve a private new($149) or old ($100) movie showing for up to 20 people. They clean the theatre prior to your reservation to ensure a safe and stress-free movie viewing. My friends and I went, socially-distanced in the theatre, and enjoyed How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
7. Cozy Up & Watch a Christmas Movie
If you are still iffy on going to the theatres, stay home instead and watch a holiday movie on one of the many streaming services. Make some hot chocolate with the DIY hot chocolate bombs mentioned above, put on some comfortable Christmas pajamas, and have a nice relaxing afternoon. Here are The 70+ Best Christmas Movies of All Time. I just watched Disney's A Christmas Carol this past weekend with my family and it was so good.
8. Visit "A" Christmas Tree
I say visit "A" tree because it doesn't have to be what everyone's thinking, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC. Plenty of people will still go to take their yearly pic in front of the tree, but there are a ton of other beautiful Christmas tree options this holiday. I was in Jersey City and accidentally stumbled upon this tree at J. Owen Grundy Park.
**I simply can't end this paragraph without mentioning the Rockefeller tree's glow up after arriving in NYC. Here's to hoping 2021 will have a similar glow up for us all.
9. Go To The American Dream Mall
When word of the new American Dream Mall came, everyone was so scared of the traffic it was going to cause. Because of COVID-19, the mall has not been as crowded and is spacious enough for a safe visit. They are decorated beautifully for the holidays and have the perfect stores and attractions for shopping and fun, including American Eagle, LUSH Cosmetics, a skiing slope, and an ice skating rink.
10. Watch Every Christmas Episode of Your Favorite TV Shows
Thanks to Good Housekeeping, here's 22 Best Christmas TV Show Episodes to Watch This Holiday Season. They include all the classics like Friends, The Office, Gilmore Girls, Full House, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, New Girl, and my personal favorite, Glee. This would be a great holiday activity while being able to go back and watch some of your favorite tv shows again after a while.
Hope this helps!
Happy December!
BTW...if you're still stuck on what to get your friends and family for Christmas, click here to check out my recent shopping blog posts for some present ideas!
Xoxo,
Steph
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